Runner for an ice skate

ABSTRACT

An improved runner is disclosed, of the type associated with a boot portion to form an ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of edges, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axis and, in use, forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate. The improvement comprises a pair of metal plates, one or more metal webs and a rigid polymeric portion. The plates are generally parallel to one another and axially spaced apart. Each plate defines a respective one of said edges in use. The webs extend between and rigidly connect the plates to define, with the plates, one or more voids between said plates, said voids including a channel having an opening directed, in use, away from the boot portion, said channel being bounded laterally by said plates. The polymeric portion is disposed in said channel and engages the plates to stiffen the runner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application claims benefit of the filing date of and right opriority of United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/029,064 filed Feb. 15, 2008. The present disclosure is related toblades or runners for skates.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Traditional ice skate construction includes: a steel runner or bladewhich contacts the ice or skating surface; a boot portion; and a bridgeor holder which attaches the runner to the boot portion.

Runners typically require periodic sharpening/contouring, to maintainglide characteristics. Both sharpening and contouring involve theremoval of a portion of the material from which the runner is formed.Thus, runners eventually wear out after repeated sharpening and/orcontouring and need to be replaced.

Over time, much attention has been given to reducing the overall weightof ice skates, to improve performance. Some improvements have involvedreplacing the materials of construction with more lightweight materialsas they are developed. For example, some improvements have related toreplacing leather components with lightweight man-made materials such asplastic.

Another improvement has involved replacing the steel bridge or bladeholder with a plastic bridge. In addition to the advantages of weightreduction, this permits the runner or blade to be removed forsharpening, contouring and/or replacement.

Although steel has historically been the most widely used material forrunners, it remains one of the heavier components of an ice skate. Thus,some attempts to reduce the overall weight of an ice skate have focusedon decreasing the weight of the runner itself. One such attempt hasinvolved providing a plurality of apertures or recesses in the runner.However, doing so reduces the amount of metal available for sharpening,and thus, reduces the life of the runner.

Another attempt to reduce the weight of the skate blade has involvedforming the runner as a relatively thin strip of steel on the bridge.Runners of this type usually cannot be contoured according to thepreferences of individual skaters.

Another improvement relating to runners concerns the provision of ashallow groove along the lower surface of the runner, the groove beingfilled with a soft hydrophobic thermoplastic material, such as PTFE.This is said to reduce the static or dynamic friction characteristics ofthe blade, and to reduce runner weight. The relatively poorer mechanicalproperties of PTFE in comparison to steel demands that the groove beshallow, generally in the order of approximately 5-10 mm, to ensure thatthe runner maintains mechanical strength. The shallowness of the grooverenders the reduction in weight somewhat limited. The shallowness alsoreduces the amount of metal available for sharpening, thereby reducingthe life of the runner.

Accordingly, there continues to exist the need for a strong,lightweight, skate blade or runner which can be readily manufactured andadapted for use on a wide variety of ice skates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved runner forms one aspect of the invention. The improvedrunner is of the type operatively associated with a boot portion to forman ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of runner edges, spaced-apartfrom one another along a lateral axis, said runner edges, in use,forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate. The improvementcomprises a pair of metal plates, one or more metal webs and a firstrigid polymeric portion. The metal plates are orientated substantiallyparallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateral axis. Each ofsaid metal plates defines a respective one of said runner edges in use.The metal webs extend between and rigidly connect the pair of plates todefine, in combination with said pair of plates, one or more voidsbetween said plates. The one or more voids include a first channelhaving an opening directed, in use, away from said boot portion, saidfirst channel being bounded laterally by said plates. The first rigidpolymeric portion is disposed in said first channel and engages theplates to stiffen the runner. This runner is relatively lightweight andis capable of being sharpened and contoured according to individualpreferences a relatively large number of times.

Another improved runner forms another aspect of the invention. Thisrunner is of the type operatively associated with a boot portion to forman ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of runner edges, spaced-apartfrom one another along a lateral axis, said runner edges, in use,forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate. The improvement in thisrunner comprises a pair of metal plates, one or more metal webs and afirst rigid polymeric portion. The metal plates are orientatedsubstantially parallel to each another and spaced apart along thelateral axis. Each of said metal plates defines a respective one of saidrunner edges in use. The metal webs extend between and rigidly connectthe pair of plates to define, in combination with said pair of plates,one or more voids between said plates. The one or more voids include afirst channel and a second channel, each bounded laterally by saidplates. The first channel has an opening directed, in use, away fromsaid boot portion. The second channel has an opening directed, in use,towards said boot portion. The first rigid polymeric portion is disposedin said first channel and engages the plates to stiffen the runner. Thisrunner is relatively light weight and is capable of being sharpened andcontoured according to individual preferences a relatively large numberof times.

A skate blade for use with a boot portion to form an ice skate formsanother aspect of the invention. This skate blade comprises a bridge anda runner. The bridge is operatively associated with the boot portion inuse. The runner is secured to the bridge and includes a pair of metalplates, one or more metal webs and a first rigid polymeric portion. Themetal plates are orientated substantially parallel to each another andspaced apart along the lateral axis. Each of said metal plates defines arespective one of said runner edges in use. The webs extend between andrigidly connect the pair of plates to define, in combination with saidpair of plates, one or more voids between said plates. The one or morevoids include a first channel and a second channel. The first channelhas an opening directed, in use, away from said boot portion, and isbounded laterally by said plates. The second channel has an openingdirected, in use, towards said boot portion, and is bounded laterally bysaid plates. The first rigid polymeric portion is disposed in said firstchannel and engages the plates to stiffen the runner. This skate bladeis relatively light weight and is capable of being sharpened andcontoured according to individual preferences a relatively large numberof times.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements ofthe structure, and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description and the appended claims with reference tothe accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly describedhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an ice skate incorporating a runner or bladeconstructed according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the runner of the skate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view along section 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternative runner;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a further alternative runner;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a further alternative runner;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a further alternative runner; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a yet further alternative runner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary ice skate constructed according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention is shown in side view in FIG. 1 and isdesignated with general reference numeral 10.

This skate 10 is comprised generally of a boot portion 12, a bridge orblade holder 14 secured to the boot portion 12 and a runner or blade 16secured to the bridge 14. The boot and the bridge are of conventionalconstruction, and as such are not described in further detail. Therunner 16 and bridge 14 together form what is commonly referenced in thefield as a skate blade.

The runner 16 is an improved runner, of the general type defining a pairof runner edges 18, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axisY-Y. Runner edges 18, in use, form the lowermost edges/ice-engagingsurfaces of the blade 10, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The improved runner 16 comprises a pair of metal plates 17 and one ormore web portions 20. As best seen in FIG. 2, the metal plates 17, inside view, each take the general form of a conventional skate runner,i.e. a canoe-shaped flat plate, with longitudinally spaced-apartprotuberances 26 defining conventional fastening apertures 28 for thereceipt of fasteners (not shown) to secure runner 16 to the blade holder14.

With reference to FIG. 3, plates 17 as illustrated are each stainlesssteel, having a (lateral) thickness t of approximately 0.7 mm, and areorientated substantially parallel to each another, perpendicular to thelateral axis Y-Y and spaced apart therealong a distance s ofapproximately 1.5 mm.

In this runner, the one or more metal webs 20 define, in combinationwith said pair of plates 17, one or more voids between the plates. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a single web portion 20 is provided, todefine two voids, 30 and 32, each bounded laterally by said plates 17.As shown, void 30 comprises a first channel having an opening directed,in use, away from boot portion 12. The depth d of the first channel 30is preferably more than 10 mm, and most preferably about 12 mm. Void 32comprises a second channel having an opening directed, in use, towardsboot portion 12.

In this embodiment, a first rigid polymeric portion 22 in the form of acarbon fibre reinforced epoxy portion is provided and disposed in saidfirst channel 30, adhesively engaging the plates 17 to stiffen therunner 16. A second rigid polymeric portion 24, also a carbon fibrereinforced epoxy portion, is also provided and is disposed in secondchannel 32, once again adhesively engaging the plates 17 to help tostiffen the runner.

In use, the runner 16 is sharpened in a conventional manner such thateach of the metal plates 17 defines a respective one of the runner edges18 in use and such that the first polymeric portion 22, in combinationwith the plates 17, defines a blade hollow 34 of the skate 10. Becausethe runner 16 has substantially parallel opposed side surfaces, it maybe sharpened and contoured using conventional ice skate sharpeningequipment. The relatively large depth d of the first channel 30 rendersthe runner 16 amenable to numerous sharpenings/contourings, withcommensurate effects on runner life.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the metallicportion of the runner 16 is constructed out of a powder metallurgyprocess, and thereafter, the channels 30,32 are filled with carbon fibrereinforced epoxy resin and permitted to cure, to form a laminate.

An alternative runner 16′ is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the plates 17 areprovided with reentrant or dove-tail shaped grooves 36, such that theplates 17 and the first polymeric portion 22 are mechanically engagedonce the resin has cured. It will be appreciated by those skill in theart that such a structure will have a tendency to present a more rigidblade, with plates 17 being more substantially held in a generallyparallel configuration.

Yet further alternative embodiments of the runner of the presentinvention are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with the runners being designated,respectively 16″ and 16′″. Here, the voids also include, respectively,one and two passages 38 disposed between said first 30 and second 32channels and separated therefrom by said webs 20. The additional websand open voids can provide greater strength and reduced weight in therunner, but the multiple webs can add to cost.

A bottom plan view of a further alternative runner is shown in FIG. 7.In this runner, modified plates 17′ are shown, these plates 17′ beingsubstantially similar to the plates of the previous embodiments, but forthe presence of convex inner surfaces 50,50 presenting towards oneanother and engaged adhesively to polymeric material 22. The top planview of the runner of FIG. 7 is, but for the protuberances 26,substantially identical to the bottom plan view.

Yet another alternative runner is shown in bottom plan view in FIG. 8.This runner includes modified plates 17″, which are substantiallysimilar to the plates of the previous embodiments, but for the presenceof concave inner surfaces 52,52 presenting towards one another andengaged adhesively to polymeric material 22. The top plan view of therunner of FIG. 8 is, but for the protuberances 26, substantiallyidentical to the bottom plan view.

Whereas but six specific embodiments of the runner have been hereindescribed and shown, it will be appreciated that various modificationscan be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. For example, whereas stainless steel is specified for themetallic portion, a wide variety of materials capable of withstandingthe stresses of ice skating can be formed into a runner according to theinvention. Suitable materials include steel, stainless steel, carbonsteel, and combinations and alloys thereof. In some embodiments, anon-corrosive layer on the exterior surface of the runner may beprovided, to prevent the formation of rust. Examples of suitablenon-corrosive layers include nickel, nickel-chrome, chrome, combinationsthereof and plastic films. As well, whereas specific dimensions for theplates and voids are described, variations therein are contemplated.

Further, whereas the blade is specified to be manufactured using apowder metallurgy process, it may be possible to construct the bladeusing other techniques.

As well, whereas the first and second polymeric portions are specifiedto be carbon fibre reinforced epoxy, a wide variety of polymeric andreinforcing materials may be used, limited by practical considerationssuch as the weight, strength, and processing method.

It is also specifically contemplated that the second polymeric portionmay be omitted, provided suitable accommodations are made to the plates,runner geometry and bridge to maintain strength.

As a result of its structure, the present runner can be substantiallylighter than other runners having a similar size and shape that areformed solely from steel or other metal.

Of course, any of the foregoing embodiments and modifications of runnersaccording to the present disclosure may be used, with routinemodification in terms of the mode of bridge-fastening, in a variety ofcommercially available plastic or polymeric bridges or blade holders.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention should be understood aslimited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.

1. An improved runner, of the type operatively associated with a bootportion to form an ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of runneredges, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axis, said runneredges, in use, forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate, whereinthe improvement comprises: a pair of metal plates orientatedsubstantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateralaxis, each of said metal plates defining a respective one of said runneredges in use; one or more metal webs extending between and rigidlyconnecting the pair of plates to define, in combination with said pairof plates, one or more voids between said plates, said one or more voidsincluding a first channel having an opening directed, in use, away fromsaid boot portion, said first channel being bounded laterally by saidplates; and a first rigid polymeric portion disposed in said firstchannel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner.
 2. A runneraccording to claim 1, wherein said one or more voids further comprises asecond channel having an opening directed, in use, towards said bootportion, said second channel being bounded laterally by said plates. 3.An improved runner, of the type operatively associated with a bootportion to form an ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of runneredges, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axis, said runneredges, in use, forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate, whereinthe improvement comprises: a pair of metal plates orientatedsubstantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateralaxis, each of said metal plates defining a respective one of said runneredges in use; one or more metal webs extending between and rigidlyconnecting the pair of plates to define, in combination with said pairof plates, one or more voids between said plates, said one or more voidsincluding: a first channel having an opening directed, in use, away fromsaid boot portion, said first channel being bounded laterally by saidplates; and a second channel having an opening directed, in use, towardssaid boot portion, said second channel being bounded laterally by saidplates; and a first rigid polymeric portion disposed in said firstchannel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner.
 4. A runneraccording to claim 3, further comprising a second rigid polymericportion disposed in said second channel and engaging the plates tostiffen the runner.
 5. A runner according to claim 3, wherein the platesand the first polymeric portion are shaped so as to mechanically engageone another.
 6. A runner according to claim 4, wherein the plates andthe first polymeric portion are shaped so as to mechanically engage oneanother.
 7. A runner according to claim 3, wherein said one or morevoids further comprises one or more passages disposed between said firstand second channels and separated therefrom by said webs.
 8. A runneraccording to claim 3, wherein the first polymeric portion iscarbon-fibre reinforced epoxy.
 9. A runner according to claim 4, whereinthe first polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy and thesecond polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy.
 10. A runneraccording to claim 3, wherein the depth of the first channel is morethan 10 mm.
 11. A runner according to claim 3, wherein the depth of thefirst channel is about 12 mm.
 12. A runner according to claim 3, whereinthe first rigid polymeric portion adhesively engages the plates tostiffen the runner.
 13. A skate blade for use with a boot portion toform an ice skate, said skate blade comprising: a bridge operativelyassociated with the boot portion in use; and a runner secured to thebridge and including: a pair of metal plates orientated substantiallyparallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateral axis, each ofsaid metal plates defining a respective one of said runner edges in use;one or more metal webs extending between and rigidly connecting the pairof plates to define, in combination with said pair of plates, one ormore voids between said plates, said one or more voids including: afirst channel having an opening directed, in use, away from said bootportion, said first channel being bounded laterally by said plates; anda second channel having an opening directed, in use, towards said bootportion, said second channel being bounded laterally by said plates; anda first rigid polymeric portion disposed in said first channel andengaging the plates to stiffen the runner.
 14. A skate blade accordingto claim 13, further comprising a second rigid polymeric portiondisposed in said second channel and engaging the plates to stiffen therunner.
 15. A skate blade according to claim 13, wherein the firstpolymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy.
 16. A skate bladeaccording to claim 13, wherein the first polymeric portion iscarbon-fibre reinforced epoxy and the second polymeric portion iscarbon-fibre reinforced epoxy.
 17. A skate blade according to claim 16,wherein the first rigid polymeric portion and the second rigid polymericportion adhesively engage the plates to stiffen the runner.